The entertainment industry has manufactured and made-up musical groups pretending they’re successful as a way to lure unsuspecting fans (I’m looking at you *N Sync).  But some bands actually are made-up - they first appeared in fictional worlds, sometimes even crossing over to our reality to make an extra buck.  These are the most entertaining and talented fictional bands.

7. Fingerbang

The classic boy band from South Park triumphed at the South Park Mall with their self-titled mega hit.  This edgy band when farther over the edge than any edgy band before by putting a girl, dressed as a boy, into the boy band.  Now that’s guts.

6. Josie and the Pussycats

Speaking of girls dressed as dudes, this 1970’s pop sensation exploded out of their popular Archie comic book and cartoon series, the main source for new musical acts in December 1970.  The bubblegummy, sometimes crime fighting team have even appeared in 2001 blockbuster that made very little money.  Still, being comic book characters, they barely aged and have hauntingly remained relevant in the time world of Archie Comics.

5. Monkees

Often confused for the copycat Beatles, the Monkees began their amazing careers on a reality TV show in 1965 on NBC.  Eventually, their TV stardom earned them real musical stardom (who knew) and they released several popular albums, for a time outselling real bands like the Beatles and Elvis.  That would turn anyone into a believer.

4. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band

Often confused for the copycat Monkees, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band released their self-titled concert album in 1967 to rave reviews, spin-off movie, and massive influence on the music industry for its concept and themes.  It is still hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time.  Unfortunately, the Beatles and someone called LSD argue over who deserves the credit for “discovering” the influential band.

3. Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem

The most multicultural (and interspecies) band on this list, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem is questionable a fictional band since really they were just puppets for corporate America.  But Dr. Teeth nevertheless was able to produce unique and classic compositions under their exclusive deal with the Muppet Show.

2. Blues Brothers

In between stays in prison, the Blues Brothers have stood the test of time, transitioned between musical genres, and even beat death itself.  The popular band first appeared as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live in 1978.  They have since released movies, video games, and even an illegal bar.  It’s capitalism at its best.

1. Spinal Tap

This is all about Spinal Tap.  The British rock metal heavy pop band transcends genres, demographics, and good taste.  They inspired wider use of drugs, limited use of contraceptives, and all for the love of music.  Many claim Spinal Tap just copies, almost spoofs what other musicians do, but I say, how do we know Spinal Tap didn’t do it all first?  They have all that old footage from the 60s and 70s.  Spinal Tap was there before them all.  For ‘What day did the Lord create Spinal Tap, and couldn’t he have rested on that day too?’”